Srinivasan must step down: SC

The Supreme Court, which is hearing the match-fixing case of the Indian Premier League wants N Srinivasan, the president of the Board of Control of Cricket for India (BCCI), to step down from his position to ensure a free and fair probe into the investigations.

The judge observed that the findings of the Mudgal probe committee which submitted its report in a closed envelope contained very very serious allegations and unless the BCCI president steps down from his post, no fair enquiry can be conducted into the IPL fixing saga.

"Unless the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) president stands down, there can be no fair investigation. It's nauseating," Justice A.K. Patnaik told the court in New Delhi.

"There are no definite findings by the Mudgal committee but the allegations are of a very serious nature," Patnaik told the court.

"Whether BCCI will act on the findings of the probe panel is a big, big question," he added.

When senior counsel, C A Sundaram sought to defend the BCCI's actions, the court reportedly asked him not to act as a paid cousel of Srinivasan. "We will show the papers. You see it and tell us as a counsel about your opinion and not as a paid counsel for Srinivasan," Justice A K Patnaik said.

Comparing the two probe reports, one conducted earlier by an enquiry committee comprising of two retired judges of the Madras High court as well as the report submitted by Justice Mudgal appointed by the apex court, Justice Patnaik asked: "Can we say that the probe report was managed and if we say so, then what will be the consequences?"

The apex court has also said they will be forced to pass an order if the BCCI does not accede to its demand to remove Srinivasan from the post. "Why is Srinivasan sticking to his chair? Until Srinivasan steps down, we will not listen to anything you have to say. If you don't step down, then we will pass the order," the court said.

Giving the Indian board two days time to make a decision, the SC has set March 27th as the next date of hearing.

Reacting to the observations of the apex court, Shivlal Yadav, BCCI vice-president has said the Board has no option left but to abide by the order of the Supreme Court.

Another BCCI vice-president, Ravi Savant too seemed to toe the court's line. "SC is the highest authority, we cannot challenge them. If there is a vacancy, the general body of the BCCI will decide upon Srinivasan's successor," he said.